6 months for driver in fatal crash that inspired state law

Lukasz Marszalek, driver of the vehicle that killed 17-year-old Julie Gorcznski, waits for the start of his sentencing at the Bridgeview Courthouse on Tuesday. Family members were not convinced with Marszalek's apology in court. Marszalek was sentenced to 6 months. (Antonio Perez)

A driver convicted of aggravated speeding after a 2011 fatal crash that triggered change to state speeding laws was sentenced today to six months in jail.

Orland Park Police investigators determined Lukasz Marszalek, now 22, was driving his Mazda at least 76 mph in a 40 mph zone when he struck the passenger’s side of a Jeep as it made a left-hand turn in front of him.

The Jeep’s passenger, 17-year-old Julie Gorczynski, of Frankfort, was killed in the crash one week following her high school graduation and one week shy of her 18th birthday.

Marszalek, who had a long history of speeding citations before the Orland Park crash, was charged with aggravated speeding, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of a 180 days in jail. Court records show he lived in Lemont at the time of the crash but has since moved to Indiana.

Cook County Associate Judge Carmen K. Aguilar said Marszalek’s record of previous speeding violations, as well as a speeding ticket he received in Indiana after the fatal crash, played a role in her decision to give him the maximum sentence.

“Clearly, he had engaged in this kind of activity before and after this crime,” she said.

Aguilar also commented on Marszalek’s own testimony during the bench trial, saying he was “incredulous and nonchalant.”

Marszalek declined to speak with a Tribune reporter before the hearing, but he did make a brief statement to the courtroom before the sentencing stating, “I’m very sorry.”

Gorczynski’s family and friends called his apology insincere, adding they have not seen him express any remorse for the crash.

“I think he thinks he’s not guilty,” said Pam Gorczynski, Julie’s mother. “I would hope he would take this tragedy and make something good happen, like we did.”

Pam Gorczynski and her husband, Rich Gorczynski, helped introduce legislation to the Illinois General Assembly this year that imposes tougher consequences on excessive speeders, further limiting when a judge can issue them court supervision. Gov. Pat Quinn signed the new legislation, dubbed Julie’s Law, in July.

About 20 of Julie’s family and friends attended the sentencing at the Bridgeview courthouse where they have shown up for every one of Marszalek’s court appearance since the June 2011 crash.

“We had to, we’re Julie’s voice,” said Pam Gorczynski after the sentencing. “She would be counting on it.”

Pam Gorczynski read a statement for the court during the hearing to explain that she and others are already dealing with the consequences of Marszalek’s crime.

“We, as Julie’s friends and family, have been given a life sentence,” she said.

Marszalek was fined $275 and is expected to serve 174 days of his 180-day sentence, getting six days credit for time served, said Assistant State’s Attorney John Kopp.

Marszalek showed little reaction after the sentencing or when he was taken into custody. Marszalek’s attorney, Patrick Doherty, declined to comment.